Empire Conquest
Chapter 166 - 162 Attracting Firepower

Chapter 166: Chapter 162 Attracting Firepower

Off the western side of the Strait, aboard the battleship "Longxing."

After nightfall, Gui Boyong made his way to the command bridge. Although he had received his promotion order more than ten days ago, donning the third star and becoming a vice admiral in the Imperial Navy, Gui Boyong had not forgotten his identity nor became arrogant from assuming his position as the commander of the Domestic Fleet.

Does being the commander really make a difference?

Over the years, the person Gui Boyong admired most was not He Yongxing, but Bai Zhizhan, especially over these past few days, during this naval battle.

In the past, Gui Boyong thought Bai Zhizhan was very ambitious, a young man full of drive.

It was only after this battle that Gui Boyong was startled to discover that Bai Zhizhan possessed not only "ambition" and "drive," but also something even more valuable.

Over the past twenty years, this more valuable quality had been overshadowed by the displayed spirit of striving.

Yes, it was "courage."

Not the kind of "courage" that is "foolhardy," but rather the "courage" that is "wise and brave."

It could also be said to be the courage born of self-confidence.

In other people’s eyes, Bai Zhizhan’s "wise" side, that is, his "wisdom" and "prudence" shone even brighter.

This time, it was the "brave" side that was revealed.

Simply audacious!

If one didn’t have enough guts, who would dare to lead two carriers and over a hundred ship-borne aircraft, with only the accompaniment of six destroyers, to ascend into enemy territory?

Not to mention others, if it were Liu Xiangzhen, would he dare?

In fact, over the past twenty years, Bai Zhizhan had displayed similar courage on numerous occasions.

Gui Boyong felt moved that, many times, Bai Zhizhan had no choice, or rather, was compelled by the situation to take risks.

Of course, the ones usually pressing him were not opponents or enemies, but comrades-in-arms from the rear.

Take this battle, for instance—if Liu Xiangzhen had not stopped on the night of the 26th, would Bai Zhizhan have needed to venture deep into West East Ocean on the 27th?

With the support of the Special Mixed Group, Bai Zhizhan could have stayed near Zu Island and sent out the shipborne Air Corps to wipe out two main battle corps.

For this reason, Gui Boyong had been silently praying, hoping that Bai Zhizhan wouldn’t run into bad luck and that even if he missed the opportunity for combat, he could return safely.

But now, what Gui Boyong needed to do was not merely to indulge in emotions, but to lend Bai Zhizhan a helping hand.

Yesterday, to be precise, on the night of the 26th, upon receiving a message forwarded by the Southern Fleet Headquarter that the Special Mixed Group had turned westward, He Yongxing made a bold prediction that Bai Zhizhan would definitely enter East Ocean ahead of schedule and wouldn’t stay south of the Zu Island Strait waiting for an opportunity. Next, He Yongxing sent a telegram to Gui Boyong, telling him to control his speed and to dispatch two fast battleships.

Subsequently, this speculation became a reality.

But the problem was, the Aviation Mixed Fleet kept radio silence, causing the two fast battleships commanded by Li Jie and Jin Hong to make a fruitless journey.

By this morning, the situation had become complicated.

Bai Zhizhan had the audacity to send the four heavy cruisers providing anti-aircraft cover, as well as the four light cruisers responsible for the outer perimeter patrol, to the Two-car Strait.

This meant that only six destroyers were left to directly cover the two "Imperial Capital" class carriers.

The air defense firepower of the destroyers was simply insignificant, and without the vital radar, as soon as the Aviation Mixed Fleet’s position was exposed and attacked, it would surely be annihilated. By then, it wouldn’t matter if it was Gui Boyong or He Yongxing, not even the king of heaven could save Bai Zhizhan.

It was at this time that He Yongxing once again made adjustments to his deployment.

Following his orders, Liu Changxun commanded a delay in the march on Watcher Strait and the seizure of the North and South Sado Islands. Though it was only for one day, it was extremely important. Following that, He Yongxing issued a command to Gui Boyong to proceed to Watcher Strait according to the original plan.

What does that mean?

That’s right, it would mean storming into East Ocean at the necessary time to assist with Bai Zhizhan.

Even without knowing where exactly Bai Zhizhan is, as soon as Gui Boyong led the four battleships of the Domestic Fleet there, the Saiyi Navy would certainly welcome them with full honors.

Of course, it wouldn’t be wrong to say they would be preparing to meet them with all their might.

In fact, this move was essentially a ploy to attract fire.

Who would have thought that today, in broad daylight, the elusive Third Aviation Mixed Fleet had once again caught the Saiyi Navy off guard.

Upon receiving the news of the Third Air Corps’ annihilation, Gui Boyong immediately thought that it was time for Bai Zhizhan to come home.

However, a problem arose.

On its way home through East Ocean, the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet would encounter not only the second main battle corps of the Permanent Fleet but also the first main battle corps, which was directly commanded by Takano. If they didn’t take the Watcher Strait, they would have to go south, essentially delivering themselves into the firing line of Takano’s guns.

The key point is that Takano would certainly not let Bai Zhizhan slip away.

After several days of battle, didn’t Takano already know it was Bai Zhizhan commanding the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet and that they had entered East Ocean?

Would he act like this if he knew?

Despite the successive victories of the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet, after two days of continuous intense combat, they were running on fumes.

Gui Boyong had personally estimated the remaining fuel of the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet, and the outlook was grim; Bai Zhizhan could at most wander the seas for a few more days. If they didn’t make it back to Xu Sea before the new year arrived, the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet might run out of fuel en route.

Once the waves pick up, a few days can pass in the blink of an eye.

From Gui Boyong’s perspective, the situation was crystal clear.

Takano would spare no effort to find and annihilate the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet, ensuring total annihilation. After losing most of its shipborne aircraft, Bai Zhizhan’s only option would be to break out at speed while remaining concealed the whole way. If exposure was certain, then delaying as long as possible was key.

How could one help Bai Zhizhan?

The method was actually quite simple.

Fight a fierce battle in Watcher Strait, the essential route for the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet’s return home, and teach the Saiyi Navy a lesson with fists.

If they could take down the enemy’s arrogance and make Takano retreat in disarray, that would be more than ideal.

Even if they couldn’t, it would still be okay.

The more ruckus the Domestic Fleet caused in Watcher Strait, the more enemies they attracted. The fewer ships Takano could use to search and attack the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet, the more gaps there would be in the blockade, and the easier it would be for Bai Zhizhan to find a breach to break through.

Indeed, by the afternoon, the Domestic Fleet marched on, singing all the way, as if afraid that no one would notice, boldly heading toward the Watcher Strait.

In reality, they were sending out a radio message every half hour via the longwave radio station, reporting the Fleet’s movements.

To ensure interception by the Saiyi Navy’s monitoring stations, the messages were transmitted by the "Longjiang," and each was broadcast repeatedly several times.

In the evening, while having dinner, Gui Boyong issued an order for battle readiness, instructing all battleships to enter combat status, ready for a nighttime fleet showdown.

The enemy?

Right across the strait, heading this way!

"Report to the Commander, the lookout reports unidentified ships ahead, suspected to be the Saiyi Navy’s battleships."

As the combat staff advisor shouted out loud, Gui Boyong involuntarily shuddered for a moment before turning around and nodding to his combat staff advisor, who was looking at him.

Since they have arrived, let the battle begin!

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